Whatever the reasons you are inactive, the Church wants to welcome you back! Reclaiming people was central to Jesus' ministry and mission, which He has entrusted to the Church with the Holy Spirit! Please join us for a Welcome Back Catholic inquiry meeting to help answer any questions or concerns you may have.

The following are some of the reasons that many people become inactive in their Catholic faith – but there are very few among them who do not feel that something important now is missing in their lives. Do you have a quiet longing in your heart to return? The Lord and His Catholic Church want you to know that you are missed. This is your spiritual home. We invite you to take another look – to consider a return.

Marriage and remarriage issues

"I was married, divorced and now remarried. Doesn't that mean that I'm excommunicated?"

Well you do have some obstacles to full communion in the Church – but still there may be a way to resolve them. There is an office – the Tribunal – that studies former marriages in the light of God's intention for marriage. Possibly your marriage was lacking in some essential way. If this is the case, the former marriage can be found "null" before God – that is, an annulment can be granted. You need to come in; let's talk about it.

Not fed in the Mass

"I started going to a Bible-preaching church because I wasn't being fed the Word at Mass. But still, I feel like I am missing something."

You are missing something! The Catholic Church has valid Holy Eucharist – the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Himself is communicated to Catholics at the Mass. Catholic sermons may be brief, but there are many ways to study, pray and grow in the Word as a Catholic. Come look into it!

Just sort of drifted away

"I really don't know why I stopped going to Mass. It just didn't seem important." Until the Mass is more deeply understood, it can seem dispensable – or even boring. But when we understand what is really happening in the Mass, it becomes our greatest privilege. In the Mass, we join with God in the greatest act of love in the universe. Come back and see.

Personality clash

"I just could not get along with someone in the parish, and I could not avoid him! So I found another church. It isn't a Catholic Church, but so what?"

What you are missing in the Catholic Church is much greater than any man that you may want to avoid. Besides, Jesus commands us to be reconciled. Even if the other refuses, we must be reconciled in our own hearts. He commands us to be a forgiving and merciful people. You really don't want to let that be a barrier between you and Jesus Himself.

No place for me

"Doesn't the Catholic Church condemn homosexuals? And women who got an abortion? I don't think I would be welcomed back to the Church."

No, the Church does not condemn homosexuals, or women who have had an abortion. The Church cannot, however, accept any sexual activity outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman – as God declares. God's love is greater than human temptations! God's forgiveness is greater than any mistakes we could ever make! He can give us the strength to stand up, and start again, and live the life that He created us to live. Give Him a chance to fill your life.

Some difficult Church doctrines

"There are too many doctrines that you teach that I can't go along with. You require things not in the Bible – doctrines of man that go against the Bible."

You might be surprised to find teachings in the Bible that you didn’t expect! The doctrines of the Church are grounded in Scripture, and are enlightened by and understood in the Spirit. He sheds light on His Truth, when we trust Him as the Teacher.